Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks Free Pick

The United Center will be hosting an Original Six showdown as the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the visiting Boston Bruins. It’s the final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. The match will get started at 0:30 ET on Sunday, March 11, and fans at home can catch it live on NBC.

Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds

Boston is 43-23 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.6 units this season. Through 66 regular season contests, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team in 2017-18, the Bruins are 18-12 SU.

Boston has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, it has the seventh-best penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off 83.1 percent of all penalties.

Boston, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over its past five games. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per contest over their last five road games.

Sporting a .918 save percentage and 25.2 saves per game, Tuukka Rask (28-16-4) has been the primary option in goal for Boston this season. Rask played yesterday, however, so the team may decide to rest him and roll with Anton Khudobin instead (15-10-4 record, .918 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average).

Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Bruins. Marchand has 69 points via 29 goals and 40 assists, and has recorded multiple points 20 times. Pastrnak has 24 goals and 40 assists to his name, and has registered at least one point in 43 games.

Over on the other bench, Chicago is 29-40 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 36 of its contests have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 16-18 SU at home this year.

Chicago has converted on just 15.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all opponent power plays.

Chicago players have been penalized only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for Chicago. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has recorded a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.

The home team offense will be led by Patrick Kane (24 goals, 40 assists).

Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions

Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over

Betting Notes

The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five games.

The Blackhawks are 5-10 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Bruins are 20-7 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.

Boston (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.

Chicago has created 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 15th).

Boston has scored 3.4 goals per game overall this year, but has raised it up to 5.0 per contest over the teams six-game winning streak.

Boston skaters have averaged 4.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.7 takeaways per game (ranked sixth overall).

Boston might hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The teams an impressive 19-10 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is only 10-16 in such games.